Peeking Through the Doorway of the Cathedral

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Greetings to all,

After posting my “Meet and Greet Post”, I got a very nice and informative reply, and continued looking around the site. As I read a few postings, I realized that maybe it was time for a lesson in humility and that perhaps I didn’t know as much about the Catholic Church as I thought. Oh sure, I’ve heard plenty of stories and I’ve read a few articles here and there and even was a Catholic growing up, but some of the topics on this site are, at present, way over my head. Just figuring out where to post this post to took me about twenty minutes. Not knocking the site, just saying, “Wow, guess I’m not as smart as I thought.”

Anyways, getting to the point, I’m a soldier in Iraq with limited information sources. So suggesting I read, “Book XYZ on Catholicism” is a bit hard. I’m an Agnostic. (Although after reading some nitty-gritty definitions on Agnosticism, I’m not even sure I’m that) But the real point is that I’m sitting over here with a very large void in my life. I know there has to be something divine out there, but I can’t feel him/her/it. I see some of my friends cope with the problems over here and many of them are comforted by their religion. As I said before, I used to be Catholic until I left years and years ago. I want to understand what’s out there as many of you seem to understand, but it’s so difficult to understand since religious people have faith, and I just don’t have any. I can’t make that leap where I say, “I can’t prove it, but I just KNOW there is a God and so on and so forth.” To do so without feeling the truth of it would be an insult to every Catholic, Protestant, Christian, etc.

So I’m asking the same question I’ve asked for quite awhile now. How do you know? How can you sit there in church and attest to anyone who asks that you know the truth of it. I’m not trying to dissuade anyone from their faith, because trust me, I want to know too! I’ve prayed, read many versions of the Bible, talked to people, and many other things, but something inside me is blocking me from finding what many of you have already found. I’m starting to lose hope, which is probably why taking my problems to the Internet, something I don’t usually do.

Well, thanks to any who take the time to read this, and I wish everyone a pleasant day.

Sincerely,
Chris
 
cnmaestro,
I only have a few things to say. I am sure others will have more. All I am going to say is that faith is a gift from God. I would suggest praying to God asking for faith to believe in Him because as you mentioned, you know there is something divine out there. I would also suggest reading John 20:24-29. Read it a couple of times slowly. After you have done that, pray and try your best to take that passage to heart. Lastly, thank you for the service you are doing overseas. I will keep you in my prayers.

God Bless,
Matt
 
Hi ya Cnmaestro and welcome to the forums. Here is something online which might be of help to you. Click Here.

Also, you may want to check out this website. It’s whole purpose is to help Catholics find their way back to the Church. It’s an excellent resource. God bless you.
 
Hi Chris,Welcome to the forums.We appreciate your service to our country.For me,Hebrews 11:3 has a special relevance.This verse states(NAB):By Faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God,so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.The intricacies of the universe,The sun,the moon etc were placed in just the right place to effect and help sustain life on our planet.The diversity of life and how living things are dependant upon each other all attest to the fact there is a “Creater”.I don’t have enough faith to believe everthing just randomly happened.The fact that you are searching,is proof the Holy Spirit is drawing you to our Lord.You are in my prayers,Rocky.
 
Hi Chris,

I understand a lot of what you are going through, I started my own journey back to the faith since I have been in Iraq. I know well the desert of faith you are in now as I went through it myself. I believed and I wanted to have faith but that gift wasn’t given to me right away. Perhaps sometimes, especially when we have had a spotty relationship with the Lord, He wants to test that the conversion back to him will stick so we go through trials like this. I am not saying this is definitely the case, just that it is how I have come to view these experiences. It could also be that this feeling is the result of long term separation from God due to mortal sin. I say this because what finally started the process of opening my heart to feeling the faith, was going to the sacrement of reconciliation after 11 years without it. It was the greatest feeling of cleansing I ever felt, I even broke down in tears in the middle of it, but I have never doubted since. I have had my dry times of faith, but I recognize them for what they are now and work through them.

If you would like to discuss things in more detail, you are welcome to send me a private message. I know something of the resources available to catholics on the bases in Iraq, or I know people who can find the information relevant to you. Any help I can give in this matter, I am happy to do so. God bless you and hopefully welcome home.
 
Hello Cnmaestro and welcome to CAF. There are a lot of knowledgable and caring people here so feel free to ask questions.

You say that you don’t feel like you have faith. Just you inquiry into the Church is the Holy Sprit working in you to bring you home.

As Marty said, faith is a gift and we need to ask for it. As a teenager I had many doubts to the point of thinking that this religion stuff is the biggest scam in the world. I’ve since re-discovered my relationship with God and as working on strengthing that every day. It is a constant journey.

My suggestion also is to pray. Listen for God in the silence of your heart. You’d be surprised what you may find. I also reccomend you find a Catholic chaplin where you are stationed. He amy also have resources to help you.

God bless you on your search and thank you for your service to our country. You’ll be in my prayers as well and feel free to pm me if you hve any specific questions.
 
cnmaestro said:
I want to understand what’s out there as many of you seem to understand, but it’s so difficult to understand since religious people have faith, and I just don’t have any. I can’t make that leap where I say, “I can’t prove it, but I just KNOW there is a God and so on and so forth.” To do so without feeling the truth of it would be an insult to every Catholic, Protestant, Christian, etc.

So I’m asking the same question I’ve asked for quite awhile now. How do you know? How can you sit there in church and attest to anyone who asks that you know the truth of it. I’m not trying to dissuade anyone from their faith, because trust me, I want to know too! I’ve prayed, read many versions of the Bible, talked to people, and many other things, but something inside me is blocking me from finding what many of you have already found. I’m starting to lose hope, which is probably why taking my problems to the Internet, something I don’t usually do.

Well, thanks to any who take the time to read this, and I wish everyone a pleasant day.

Sincerely,
Chris
Click to expand...
First of all, welcome to the forums. To respond to your post, let me just say that I empathize with exactly how you feel. Call me Thomas, because I am a doubter and a skeptic by nature. My faith didn’t (and doesn’t) come very easily to me at all. I envy my friends who simply believe.
I don’t think you really can say “Oh, I can’t prove but I still KNOW.” At least not in the sense that you can “know” that ice is cold or water is wet. It’s not an experiential knowledge of the senses. In the end (IMHO) faith is saying “I can’t prove, but I BELIEVE.” It’s choosing to take what intellectual arguments in favor of God (and in this case Catholicism) we have and deciding that it’s not everything, but it’s enough. And sometimes it’s not. Sometimes there are moments when I feel nothing. I have nothing but the intellectual decision to say that God exists. I don’t know. I accept that, logically and scientifically speaking, I can’t KNOW. I trust. I hope. And that’s based on about 8 years as a Christian that has taught me to trust what I cannot feel or see or understand in an earthly, immediate way. It’s trusting, rather than knowing.
I don’t know if that answer was in the least bit coherent, but that’s my two cents. Good luck on your journey toward God and I’ll keep you in my prayers.
 
cnmaestro said:
Greetings to all,

After posting my “Meet and Greet Post”, I got a very nice and informative reply, and continued looking around the site. As I read a few postings, I realized that maybe it was time for a lesson in humility and that perhaps I didn’t know as much about the Catholic Church as I thought. Oh sure, I’ve heard plenty of stories and I’ve read a few articles here and there and even was a Catholic growing up, but some of the topics on this site are, at present, way over my head. Just figuring out where to post this post to took me about twenty minutes. Not knocking the site, just saying, “Wow, guess I’m not as smart as I thought.”

Anyways, getting to the point, I’m a soldier in Iraq with limited information sources. So suggesting I read, “Book XYZ on Catholicism” is a bit hard. I’m an Agnostic. (Although after reading some nitty-gritty definitions on Agnosticism, I’m not even sure I’m that) But the real point is that I’m sitting over here with a very large void in my life. I know there has to be something divine out there, but I can’t feel him/her/it. I see some of my friends cope with the problems over here and many of them are comforted by their religion. As I said before, I used to be Catholic until I left years and years ago. I want to understand what’s out there as many of you seem to understand, but it’s so difficult to understand since religious people have faith, and I just don’t have any. I can’t make that leap where I say, “I can’t prove it, but I just KNOW there is a God and so on and so forth.” To do so without feeling the truth of it would be an insult to every Catholic, Protestant, Christian, etc.

So I’m asking the same question I’ve asked for quite awhile now. How do you know? How can you sit there in church and attest to anyone who asks that you know the truth of it. I’m not trying to dissuade anyone from their faith, because trust me, I want to know too! I’ve prayed, read many versions of the Bible, talked to people, and many other things, but something inside me is blocking me from finding what many of you have already found. I’m starting to lose hope, which is probably why taking my problems to the Internet, something I don’t usually do.

Well, thanks to any who take the time to read this, and I wish everyone a pleasant day.

Sincerely,
Chris
Click to expand...
Chris,

Thank you for your service to our country.

We are a military family as well, and my husband has deployed three times. Are there any Catholic chaplains that are available to you? They will be able to guide you with your faith questions and specific questions about Catholicism as well. They should also have some resources for you to get your hands on. I know that there are at least a few RCIA programs over there (one in Ramadi and I forgot the where the other one is) so maybe you could use the same resources.

God bless you, you will be in our prayers.

Mary Catherine.
 
I’d like to thank everyone who replied to my posting. I’m still somewhat lost as to what to think, but I’m a little clearer on how to go about figuring things out. I’m going to visit Mass tonight and see how that goes, and talk to the Chaplain while I’m there. Maybe he has some options available that I didn’t know about. But I suppose all I can really do is continue to search matters until I can find that certainty that will allow me to finally believe (thank you for explaining the difference between believing and knowing) that God is there, and Jesus is his son.

If anyone has any further advice on teaching myself about the truth, your advice would be welcome. Just assume that I know nothing about the Catholic Church and I’ll go from there. To begin with, one person mentioned RCIA. What is RCIA? Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Chris
 
RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It’s a class you go through when you become a Catholic. The length ranges depending on the parish, but it basically teaches you all of the basics of the faith (everything from prayer to detailing each of the seven sacraments). You also go through a few ceremonies, each welcoming you a little further into the church. It culminates at the Easter Vigil, when you’re either baptized and confirmed or just confirmed (if you’ve already been baptized properly). You also get a sponsor who is like your personal mentor for the journey into the Church. I know personally speaking I learned a lot in mine (I went through 06’-07’), even though I’d already spent two years studying Catholicism on my own.
Also, don’t rush the decision. Yes, it’s important, but converting to Catholicism is a big decision. Also, it should be noted that starting the RCIA class does not mean that you have to join the Church. I know I’ve heard of people who ended up going to several over the years before they finally took the plunge and converted.
Sorry that was a long answer. 🙂

(BTW, I know it’s hard to be religious in the military. I’ve been in the Navy for six years and I’ve met very few people who actually practiced their religion, whatever it might have been.)
 
Thank you for your service to our Country and for being there protecting us as we sleep. (Thank you all.) May angels watch over you as you sleep. I will keep you in my prayers and as many have already given you excellent advice, I will just continue to watch and pray.
God bless you and as an excellent Priest named Fr. John says, …and Mary keep you!!
 
PART ONE
THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
Section One
“I Believe”—“We Believe”

26
We begin our profession of faith by saying: “I believe” or “We believe.” Before expounding the Church’s faith, as confessed in the Creed, celebrated in the liturgy, and lived in observance of God’s commandments and in prayer, we must first ask what “to believe” means. Faith is man’s response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life. Thus we shall consider first that search (Chapter One), then the divine Revelation by which God comes to meet man (Chapter Two), and finally the response of faith (Chapter Three).

CHAPTER ONE
MAN’S CAPACITY FOR GOD

I. The Desire for God

27
The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for:

The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists, it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his creator.1

28
In many ways, throughout history down to the present day, men have given expression to their quest for God in their religious beliefs and behavior: in their prayers, sacrifices, rituals, meditations, and so forth. These forms of religious expression, despite the ambiguities they often bring with them, are so universal that one may well call man a religious being:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church
usccb.org/catechism/text/entiretoc1.htm

What helped me was learning Christian history.

You can trace the Catholic Church back to Jesus Himself almost **2000 **years ago in 33ad. then around 1,500 years later a Catholic monk was excommunicated and started the Lutheran church thus began the “Protestant Reformation”. Different Protestant Denominations sprang from that time on. Thats why there are so many different churches. Before 1517 ad. there was only one Christian church and it was Catholic.

**The Tombs of the Apostles **
lifeinitaly.com/religion/apostles-tombs.asp

List of popes
newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm

The Catacombs of the martyrs
rome.info/ancient/catacombs/

Thank you for your service for our country.
May the Lord guide you to the Light.:signofcross:
 
know please that there is an army of people here praying for all of you brave people, and who are grateful beyond human words for your service.

catholicity.com has an easy, on-line, very easy to search catechism, the easiest you will find to use, and also great Catholic links to other sites for specific topics. also they have prayer requests. the bible is searchable on-line at usccb.org, among other good Catholic sites

to quick start your journey, ask a Catholic buddy or chaplain for a rosary, and a brief instruction on how to use it.
 
Greetings to everyone,

So I sacrificed a little of my sleep time so I could attend Catholic Mass. Suffice it to say, some things are not like riding a bicycle. I only remembered about half of how the service is supposed to go, so half the time I knew what to say, and half the time I just kind of mumbled along or kept quiet. But it was very informative to me. I got lucky and found a buddy of mine. The conversation was quite interesting. Something like,

“So what did you think of the Homily?”
“Um, what’s a Homily?”
“…Oh boy.”

But I picked up a rosary, and received a block on instruction on how to use it. I also plan on going next week if I have the time available. I’m still sorting out how the Mass made me feel, but I’m remaining positive, and I’m committed to learning as much as I can. If nothing else, the entire experience was a good educational moment.

One thing I did find interesting however. I went in with plenty of doubt, and sure enough, the priest did a whole speech on how Jesus’s disciples doubted him. Coincidence? I don’t know yet. At any rate, thank you to all who have given me such great advice. I’m sure I’ll still have plenty of questions and doubts, but between my friends here and yourselves, I’m sure I’ll find plenty of help and support. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Chris
 
Hi Chris,

I stumbled upon your thread (I can’t even remember how), and I was inspired and humbled by your genuine search for God and desire for faith. I pray that you will be lead into all Truth, and that you will find comfort and peace of heart.

Have you heard the song “Stillness of Heart” by Lenny Kravitz? Please have a listen at this link:

youtube.com/watch?v=2XDBngjyN6g

Peace
 
Thank you for your service.

If it is possible, I recommend praying in the Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle, when you are off-duty.

I found this to be of great benefit when I needed some spiritual direction. I brought my bible and some other spiritual reading and would stay an hour or so after morning Mass, alternately talking with God, reading, or praying a rosary or a chaplet, asking for guidance, patience and the ability to recognise the new direction He was pointing out to me.

If you are searching for faith, praying is a good way to start.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.
 
Chris, Welcome and thank you for your selfless service to our nation and the world.

If you ever were Catholic, you still are. You don’t quit, you just lapse like a fire insurance policy, which our faith actually is, if you think about it. You were Baptized, right? Were you later confirmed in your faith by a Bishop or his Priest-designee? This usually occurs at about 16-17 years of age. If so, you are one Reconciliation (Confession) away from full communion with the church. After a heart-felt and contrite confession, your soul is as pure as the moment you were baptized. Right now, you are carrying the weight of your sin around with you. Christ waits to destroy your sin.

Since you have mass available, you may very well have Eucharistic Adoration. Now, this is difficult for many to believe, and may very well take you some time to come to grips with, but the Eucharist is Christ standing before you, waiting to speak to your heart. Our Holy Father Benedict XVI just advised all of us to spend time in the Lord’s presence. He knows. Love is a decision, and Christ is exactly what is needed to fill that void in your spirit. Make a decision to love Him, spend time with Him in Adoration.

I did not go to Adoration for many years, and my faith life just struggled on, like it was in life support. Now, I spend 1-2 hours a week in the Lord’s presence. I pray before Him and I have seen absolutely supernatural things happen. You might even call them miracles. 3-4 years ago, I would have told you that you were crazy to suggest such a possibility to me. Now, I am a believer.

You have a bible, right? Scripture is essential to a healthy faith life. Every Christian church has scripture, but the Catholic Church has both scripture and Tradition, as Christ intended. You will find a faithful brother in Christ to lead and teach you, and Deacons and Priests are available, even if somewhat limited. Make use of them.

First and foremost, do not be afraid. Visit with us often, ask questions on the threads or PM us with any questions or just to ask advice. We are behind both your mission, and you yourself, our brother in Christ.

Christ’s peace be always with you.
 
Hello Chris,

I’m a fallen-away Catholic who was out of the Church for 30 years (since my mid-teens) before coming home a few years ago.

You ask how do we know? One of the amazing things I discovered when I came back to God and His Church is that, while before I didn’t see God anywhere, now I see Him everywhere. I see him in the cosmos and in the little critters running around in the garden. I see him in goodness and truth and beauty and holiness. I see him in the Church that has managed to survive and thrive for 2000 years. And I see him in his saints on earth, those people who are obviously living in God’s grace. Those people sparkle like diamonds now, and I rejoice to just be in their presence. Look for God wherever you are, and I promise you that you will see him, and soon you will be unable to go a day, even an hour without seeing him.

When I first came home I had a moment of doubt too. What if I was just fooling myself? But luckily (yeah, sure! :)) I went with my family to the local animal park that weekend, and we walked through the butterfly house. How in the world can an atheist or agnostic explain butterflies? They are so obviously the result of an exuberant Creator who delights in making beauty for its own sake and also for our sake, our pleasure, our wonder. Just the kind of thing a good father would do for his children,

You are seeking because you were made to seek. We are incomplete until we are united with our Father and Maker. And our whole lives he calls us to him, while never forcing himself on us - again, just the kind of thing a father would do for his children.

There is a poem called the Hound of Heaven. The language can be a little tough going, but you should google it and read it. It’s about how God pursues us always and everywhere. Here’s the first verse, to tantalize you 🙂

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmèd fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
They beat – and a voice beat
More instant than the Feet –
“All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.”

I’ll leave you with one more thought, from C.S. Lewis (comnett.net/~rex/cslewis.htm):🙂

“God has paid us the intolerable compliment of loving us, in the deepest, most tragic, most inexorable sense.”

That means you 👍
 
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